Activities
In line with its core mission, the Institute works to enhance public understanding of and access to research and information on the Church's mission by organising courses, seminars, discussion panels, lectures, internships, training, and policy programs.
Public Lectures
DISCERN organises a number of lectures throughout the year centering on the "Benjamin Tonna Lecture"; the "Discern Annual Lecture"; and the "Gaudium et Spes Lecture".
The Discern Annual Lecture
| 2002 |  | "Discerning the Signs of the Times" His Eminence Cardinal Paul Poupard President of the Pontifical Council for Culture Text Published |
| 2003 |  | "Spirituality and the Preferential Option for the Poor" Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez OP Text Published; Video Presentation Available |
| 2004 |  | "Girls & God: Theology and Women Today" Dr. Janet Soskice Text Published titled "Imago Dei" |
| 2005 |  | "Reforming the Catholic Church: The mission of Cardinal Yves Congar" Rev. Fergus Kerr O.P. Text Published |
| 2006 |  | "Cults, Sects and New Religious Movements: What are they doing in Contemporary Western Society?" Prof. Emeritus Eileen Barker Text Published |
| 2007 |  | "Children of the same God" Prof. David B. Burrell C.S.C. Hesburgh Professor in Philosophy and Theology University of Notre Dame |
| 2008 |  | "Beauty: A path to dialogue between believers and non-believers" Prof. Peter Serraccino Inglott Professor Emeritus in Philosophy University of Malta Interview published titled "Contemplating Beauty" |
| 2009 |  | "Is secularisation on the Reverse Gear?" Prof. David Martin Professor Emeritus in Sociology University of London Abstract |
The Benjamin Tonna Lecture (instituted in memory of the first Executive Director of DISCERN)
| 2002 |  | "Vatican II: Of Happy Memory - And Hope?" Nicholas Lash Norris-Hulse Professor Emeritus of Divinity, University of Cambridge, U.K. Text Published |
| 2003 |  | "Catholic Education in Liberal Democratic Societies: Challenges & Predicaments" Prof. Terence McLaughlin University of London, U.K. Discussant: Rev. Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott Rector Emeritus: University of Malta |
| 2004 |  | "Karl Rahner: theologian of Hope and Dialogue" Dr. Philip Endean SJ University of Oxford, U.K. Text Published |
| 2005 |  | "A Christian looks at the EU Social Dimension" Prof. Vera Negri Zamagni University of Bologna, Italy Text Published |
| 2006 |  | "A Global Dilemma: The Diversity Problem and Modern Democracy" Prof. John Stone University of Boston, U.S.A |
| 2007 |  | "Falling Church Attendance: Has Anything Gone Wrong?" Prof. Robin Gill Professor of Modern Theology University of Kent, CanterburyText Published |
| 2008 |  | "The Political Economy of undocumented Migration" Prof. Stefano Zamagni Professor of Economics University of Bologna, Italy |
The Gaudium et Spes Lecture
| 2002 |  | "Economics, Conscience and International Debt" Professor Stefano Zamagni University of Bologna, Italy Consultant: Pontifical Council "Justitia et Pax" Member: New York Academy of Sciences Text Published |
| 2004 |  | "Bible Reading and the Formation of Ecclesial Basic Communities." Rev. Fr. Carlos Mesters Text Published |
| 2006 |  | "Thinking Ethics while Teaching Economics" Rev. Dr. Frank McHugh Research Fellow at St. Mary's College, Twichenham former Fellow of St. Edmund's College, Cambridge Text Published |
| 2007 |  | "Il Cristiano davanti alle sfide della convivenza" Professor Andrea Riccardi Professor: Roma Universita Tre Founder: Community of Sant' Egido organised in conjunction with the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and the Justice and Peace Commission Text Published |
| 2008 |  | "Essere Politico Cristiano Oggi" Rt.Hon. Savino Pezzotta Member of the Italian Camera dei Deputati Text Published |
| 2009 | "Banking on Virtue?" Robert Keen Von Hugel Institute, St. Edmund College, University of Cambridge | |
Discussion Panels
DISCERN organises a number of discussion panels in the form of Discerning Round Tables and Seminars.
| 2002 | "Il-White Paper dwar ir-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali" "The White Paper on Industrial Relations" Chairperson: Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino | |
| 2002 | "Il-Ligi tal-Familija" "The Family Law" Chairperson: Dr. Ruth Farrugia | |
| 2002 | "The Holy See, Culture and Discernment" His Eminence Cardinal Paul Poupard President of the Pontifical Council for Culture | |
| 2003 | "Liberation Theology: an autobiographical note" Rev. Gustavo Gutierrez OP | |
| 2004 | "Ir-Riforma tal-Welfare f'Pajjizna" "Welfare Reform in Malta" Dr. Charles Pace; Dr. Joe Falzon, Ms. Sue Vella, Dr. Paul Pace organised in conjunction with Centru Fidi u Gustizzja - Centre of Faith and Justice Call Published | |
| 2007 | Seminar: "Confidence Building Strategies" Prof. Richard Rubenstein with introductory talks by Rev. Dr. Rene Camilleri and Rev. Dr. Joe Inguanez | |
| 2008 | "Nicodemus Nights" various invited speakers | |
| 2009 |  | "Zimbabwe: Finding hope in a time of Economic and Political Crisis" talk by Christopher Hingley organised in conjunction with St. Andrew's Scots Church, Malta Feature |
